Readers have responded to a Guardian editorial on noise pollution, emphasizing that it should be treated as a public-health issue, not just a nuisance. Among the key concerns raised are excessively loud modified vehicles, inadequate enforcement of existing noise laws, and the intrusion of unwanted music in public spaces.
Modified Vehicles: A Persistent Urban Nuisance
Mark Ebden from Frome, Somerset, points out that modified cars and motorbikes with louder exhausts are a significant but overlooked source of urban noise. He notes that these vehicles can wake entire terraces and disrupt outdoor spaces, making life less pleasant for everyone. Ebden questions the lack of enforcement, stating that while excessively noisy exhausts are already unlawful, police action appears rare.
He also criticizes the MOT regime for lacking routine objective decibel measurements, unlike the precise testing for emissions, brakes, or lights. Ebden suggests that the UK should roll out roadside noise cameras, which combine microphones with number-plate recognition, as a straightforward and popular way to improve quality of life.
Personal Struggles with Noise Sensitivity
Deana Heath from Liverpool, who is autistic and suffers from misophonia, feels noise pollution has increased exponentially since the Covid pandemic. She cites leaf blowers, automatic hand dryers, and public phone use as problematic. Heath says the severity of the issue makes it difficult for her to navigate public spaces, and she highlights the knock-on effects for wildlife.
Edward Collier from Cheltenham, a musician and composer, is upset by unasked-for music in public venues. He explains that his brain processes all music as foreground, making background music impossible to ignore. Collier has stopped attending one-day international cricket matches due to musical "stingers" and avoids restaurants where piped music cannot be turned down.
Retail and Public Spaces: Aural Assault
Sue Zlosnik from Holt, Wrexham, expresses annoyance at loud music in shops. After moving to Wales, she finds even upmarket food stores subject her to what she describes as "nasal wailing." This highlights the widespread nature of noise issues in retail environments.
Natural Sound Barriers: A Solution
Chloë Thompson from Eynsham, Oxfordshire, suggests that shrubs, trees, and hedges are effective sound barriers, as well as wind breakers and air filters. She argues they should be considered essential in urban environments, offering multiple benefits including temperature moderation and mental health improvements.
Impact on Health and Well-being
The editorial and reader responses underscore the need to address noise pollution as a public-health issue. With research linking noise to stress, sleep disturbance, and cardiovascular problems, the call for action is growing. The lack of enforcement and inadequate measurement standards remain key barriers to progress.
